My mum is my idol, but, admittedly, she’s a beast to buy presents for. She’s not keen on cosmetics, hates the thought of anyone spending money on her and would wallop me from here to next month if I so much as spent more than five dollars on anything in the hand-poured-soy-wax category. For people like her, Mother’s Day is usually better spent over a big meal and hours of togetherness than around presents she never asked for or needed–the thing is, as a child looking to pamper your mum, it can be discouraging when her tastes are too earthy and pragmatic for you to cater to. Fortunately, I’ve figured out a way around this unique, intergenerational dilemma. Here are some sure-win presents that even my mum would have a hard time finding fault with:
Mothers have a unique ability to fuss over everyone around them while consistently sacrificing themselves. It makes for a great movies and it’s a very moving set-up, to be sure, but in real life, it’s less impressive, and our mums need to know that they are as–if not more–entitled to regularly put their feet up, sip a hot cuppa and unwind. There are plenty of detox teas out in the market to choose from, but be careful not to go overboard with anything that can interfere with mumma’s liver function or digestive tract like sencha tea. Kusmi Tea’s BB Detox ($22) contains green tea and mate for a double burst of antioxidants and energy and dandelion and rooibos to reduce inflammations. A pop of grapefruit makes this an uplifting up-and-at-’em tea to pick up mum’s energy any time it dips, but for the most part, this is a gift that encourages her to relax, especially if yours is not a mum who takes kindly to bubble baths.
